‘Highway’ highlights exclusives week; ‘Blade’ 2nd

NEW YORK — October Films’ “Lost Highway” drove into the front of the exclusives list on its first weekend. Directed by David Lynch, the film noir starring Bill Pullman and Patricia Arquette collected $161,784 at eight intersections in Los Angeles and Gotham.

The second-most-popular limited release pic was Miramax’s “Sling Blade,” which sliced $83,919 in six slaughterhouses on both coasts. Written, directed by and starring Billy Bob Thornton, the Southern Gothic tale has picked up momentum since it was nominated for two Oscars on Feb. 11. “Sling” was in the lead spot on the roster last week.

Newcomer “Blood and Wine” from Fox Searchlight captured the No. 3 slot with grosses of $63,935 on 10 screens in L.A. and New York.

In Gotham, 7th Art’s “Salut Cousin” bowed to a modest take of $2,904 in one location.

The following are the grosses for films playing on a limited number of screens in New York and Los Angeles.

Los Angeles

“Lost Highway” (October Films) bowed to $33,365 at the Laemmle Sunset 5, $12,954 at the AMC Santa Monica 7, $9,439 at the AMC Century 14 and $8,959 at the GCC Avco.

“Sling Blade” (Miramax) gained 4% to $14,474 in its fifth at the Laemmle Monica, slipped 18% to $12,499 in its 13th at the Laemmle Sunset 5 and dropped 8% to $7,577 in its second at the Mann Regent.

“Blood and Wine” (Fox Searchlight) debuted with $6,895 at the Cineplex Odeon Universal City 18, $6,762 at the AMC Santa Monica 7, $5,719 at the United Artists’ Westwood, $5,125 at the Cineplex Odeon Beverly Center, $3,737 at the United Artists’ Marina del Rey and $3,586 at the Cineplex Odeon Century Plaza.

“Waiting for Guffman” (Sony) brought home $9,823 in its first at the Landmark NuWilshire and $6,366 in its first at the Cineplex Odeon Beverly Center.

“Secrets & Lies” (October) was even at $8,054 in its 21st at the Landmark Samuel Goldwyn Pavilion and slipped 4% to $5,421 in its second at the AMC Fine Arts.

“Touch” (MGM) faded 33% to $4,135 in its second at the AMC Century 14, 50% to $3,665 in its second at the AMC Santa Monica 7 and 51% to $2,540 in its second at the Cineplex Odeon Beverly Center.

“Kolya” (Miramax) fell 11% to $4,845 in its fifth at the Landmark Samuel Goldwyn Pavilion and 8% to $3,742 in its third at the Laemmle Music Hall.

“Marvin’s Room” (Miramax) rang up $7,756 in its first at the Laemmle Monica.

“Breaking the Waves” (October) gave up 1% to $6,742 in its ninth at the Laemmle Monica.

“Hamlet” (Sony) surrendered 28% to $6,579 in its ninth at the Laemmle Royal.

“Message to Love” (Strand) bowed to $6,391 at the Landmark Nuart.

“When We Were Kings” (Gramercy) dropped 10% to $6,322 in its second at the AMC Century 14.

“Prisoner of the Mountains” (Metromedia) climbed 14% to $5,513 in its third at the Landmark Samuel Goldwyn Pavilion.

“Ridicule” (Miramax Zoe) declined 3% to $4,563 in its 12th at the Laemmle Music Hall.

“SubUrbia” (Sony) fell 29% to $3,735 in its third at the Laemmle Sunset 5.

“Lone Star” (Sony) lost 13% to $1,363 in its second at the Laemmle Music Hall.

“Fargo” (Gramercy) dropped 12% to $705 in its second at the Laemmle Monica.

“The Wild Bunch” (Warner Bros. reissue) bowed to $341 in its first at the Cineplex Odeon Beverly Center.

New York

“Lost Highway” bowed to $44,986 at the Loews Village Sevenplex, $33,881 at the Sony Lincoln Square, $22,592 at the Cineplex Odeon Chelsea and $14,006 at the Cineplex Odeon Baronet.

“Sling Blade” soared 70% to $19,722 in its second at the Cineplex Odeon First and 62nd Street, 126% to $14,105 in its eighth at the City Cinemas Angelika and 21% to $15,542 in its second at the Cineplex Odeon Carnegie Hall.

“Secrets & Lies” fell 7% to $14,357 in its 22nd at Lincoln Plaza and 6% to $10,452 in its second at the Quad. It bowed at $10,776 at the Cineplex Odeon First and 62nd Street.

“Marvin’s Room” expanded 15% to $15,695 in its fourth at the Cineplex Odeon Regency and 42% to $7,099 in its seventh at City Cinemas Village East. It rang up $11,503 in its first at the Cineplex Odeon First and 62nd Street.

“Blood and Wine” debuted with $11,719 at the Loews 84th Street, $8,398 at the City Cinemas 68th Street Playhouse and $6,491 at the Loews Astor Plaza.

“Kolya” waned 3% to $19,365 in its fifth at Lincoln Plaza and 33% to $7,356 in its fourth at the City Cinemas Angelika.

“When We Were Kings” gave up 13% to $20,487 in its second at Sony Lincoln Square.

“Hamlet” declined 22% to $19,702 in its ninth at the Loews Paris.

“Waiting for Guffman” surrendered 17% to $13,610 in its fourth at the City Cinemas Angelika and brought home $5,413 in its first at the City Cinemas Sutton.

“Prisoner of the Mountains” fell 14% to $12,115 in its fourth at Lincoln Plaza and 12% to $6,532 in its second at the Quad.

“Breaking the Waves” fell 38% to $8,417 in its 15th at the City Cinemas Angelika and 8% to $9,963 in its eighth at the City Cinemas East Side Playhouse.

“Touch” slid 47% to $6,865 in its second at Sony Lincoln Square, 37% to $5,216 in its second at the Cineplex Odeon Beekman and 48% to $4,983 in its second at the Cineplex Odeon Chelsea.

“SubUrbia” declined 39% to $9,720 in its third at the City Cinemas Angelika and gave up 38% to $5,011 in its third at Lincoln Plaza.

“Ridicule” dropped 18% to $7,760 in its second at the Cineplex Odeon 59th Street East and rang up $4,455 in its first at the Screening Room.

“Cyclo” (CFP) fell 47% to $9,738 in its second at Film Forum.

“Boyfriends” (First Run) gave up 18% to $7,204 in its second at the Cinema Village.